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Pulp market improvement supports Crofton pulp mill restart

Catalyst Paper will restart one line of pulp production at its Crofton NBSK kraft mill on Vancouver Island, ci…

Catalyst Paper will restart one line of pulp production at its Crofton NBSK kraft mill on Vancouver Island, citing improved market conditions. The kraft pulp mill was indefinitely curtailed in February of this year – removing approximately 400,000 tonnes of annual capacity.

“Pulp markets have improved in recent weeks with stronger demand and pricing,” says Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer. “Better markets enable the restart on one of the two lines of our kraft mill. But chip supply is limited and fibre availability is expected to remain challenging through the balance of this year.”

The restart is scheduled for early October and will result in 104 employees being recalled from layoff. Restart on the one line will add 210,000 tonnes of pulp capacity on an annualized basis. The company notes that production will continue as long as markets, mill costs, and fibre availability support it.

Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse specialty printing papers, newsprint, and pulp.